Strategic Missile Troops Increase Combat Capability , ITAR-TASS, 12/16/1997 -- Following the merger of the Space Military Troops and the Space Missile Defense Forces, the Strategic Missile Troops have been able to fulfil up to 50 percent of all the tasks facing the Strategic Nuclear Forces as far as a retaliatory strike is concerned, and up to 90 per cent as far as a retaliatory counterstrike is concerned.

[EXCERPT] TRANSCRIPT: STATE DEPARTMENT NOON BRIEFING,
OCTOBER 3, 1997 - RUSSIA/NUCLEAR ARMS -- Asked about the testimony of former Russian
National Security Council member Alexei Yablokov on the existence of
suitcase-sized nuclear devices, Rubin stated that "there is no
evidence other than hearsay to support such claims; therefore, we give
such claims little credibility."

CONGRESS / RUSSIA NUKES VOA 02 October 1997 - THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT SECRETLY BUILT AND MAINTAINED AN ARSENAL OF TERRORIST NUCLEAR WEAPONS. THE FATE OF THESE SUITCASE-SIZED BOMBS IS THE SUBJECT OF GROWING CONCERN.

U-S / RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS VOA 28 September 1997 - A NEW INITIATIVE TO CONNECT AMERICAN BUSINESSES WITH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CENTERS IN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE AIMS TO PREVENT WEAPONS PROLIFERATION.

U-S - RUSSIA / ARMS AGREEMENTS VOA 26 September 1997 - AMONG THE ISSUES COVERED IN THE AGREEMENTS ARE THE IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR THE START-TWO STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTION TREATY AND A SERIES OF CLARIFICATIONS FOR THE 1972 ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE TREATY.

RUSSIAN SPACE AGENCY REFUTES CLAIMS OF AMERICAN PRESS Embassy of Russia News Release #22 September 16, 1997 -- The Russian Space Agency, named by the U.S. press as the main Russian organization allegedly helping Iran to create ballistic missiles, has strongly rejected such claims.

MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS September 3, 1997 - The Department believes a low-level nuclear test would be a breach of the Russian moratorium that has been in place for at least five years, but not a violation of the CTBT since it has not yet entered into force.

Russia-Belarus: Intercept Point: ABM Defense as a Political Argument, Sergey Aleksandrovich Goryainov , Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, 7/12/1997 -- Both right and left are keeping mum about the true reason for the stubborn attraction of "democratic" Russia and "totalitarian" Belarus - the presence of the Russian Missile Attack Warning System (SPRN), which went on the air in early 1995.

SITES IN 5 COUNTRIES IDENTIFIED WITH WEAPONS PROLIFERATION
06/30/97 - The U.S. Department of Commerce has listed research facilities in Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Israel as engaging in weapons proliferation and has required U.S. companies to inquire about whether to submit license applications for all exports to these destinations.

Embassy of Russia Press Release #18 July 11, 1997 A CIA Report to the US Congress on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional weapons has been made public in Washington. It accuses Russia of alleged assistance in programs for creating weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems conducted by some countries. Russia has been strictly fulfilling its international commitments for nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their missile delivery systems.

In democratic Russia, nuclear safety is still done the Soviet way BELLONA USA email: [email protected] http://www.grida.no/ngo/bellona/ Russia still persecutes people who blow the whistle on environmental hazards as traitors, particularly when
these activists detect problems in the realm of the armed forces. The best known case is Alexander Nikitin's, who has been under investigation since February of 1996 for co-authoring a report on the Soviet nuclear legacy in the Arctic -- The Russian Northern Fleet - Sources of Radiocative Contamination, published by the Norwegian NGO Bellona.

NEWS AND VIEWS Summaries of and links to online news reports and commentaries, including: RUSSIA WILL NEVER BE FIRST TO USE NUKES-- UNLESS IT HAS TO, Boris Yeltsin's Nuclear Monologue, On visit to U.S., Russia's defense minister supports Start II, Russia considers military use of international space station, Rocky road in space for U.S., Russia, Air and Space Museum Announces `Space Race' Exhibition, Nations Agree to Pact Granting Nuclear Inspectors, More Access, Information. May 15, 1997

[EXCERPTS] DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY BRIEFING QUESTION: " ... how can the Secretary tell the Russian defense minister, then, when START II is ratified, the two sides can move ahead with START III, when we've been told by the Vice President and other senior U.S. officials that talks, at least on guidelines for START III, needn't wait and aren't waiting for ratification of START II?" BRIEFER: NICHOLAS BURNS WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1997

COHEN / RODIONOV (L) RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS NEWS REPORTS THAT RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR FORCES ARE IN DISARRAY AND AT TIMES HAVE ACCIDENTALLY MOVED CLOSER TO LAUNCHING ARE WRONG AND IRRESPONSIBLE. MINISTER IGOR RODIONOV'S COMMENTS CAME DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE WITH (U-S) DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AT THE PENTAGON. Voice of America 5/13/97

NEWS AND VIEWS Summaries of and links to online news reports and commentaries, including: A lot riding on Atlantis' trip to Mir, Little Apocalypses Media Rant. May 13, 1997.

[EXCERPTS] DoD News Briefing This joint press conference follows the signing of a statement of military cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Secretary Cohen and Minister Rodionov in the Pentagon Briefing Studio. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen Tuesday, May 13, 1997 - 11:50 a.m.

[EXCERPT] U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing RUSSIA Stability/Control of Nuclear Forces QUESTION: Is there an investigation underway of the
reports about the Russian missile system malfunctioning with their nuclear weapons pointed in this direction? Can you comment on that?Briefer: Nicholas Burns Monday, May 12, 1997

[EXCERPTS] Visit Of Russian Defense Minister Rodionov Background Briefing Q: You mentioned Russia's declining military. Can you provide any context for us at all on this CIA report that was published in today's Washington Times, which cites a deteriorating command-and- control system of Russian nuclear weapons, and whether or not it presents any danger or concern of any sort of unauthorized strike? May 12, 1997 - 10:30 a.m.

Mishaps put Russian missiles in 'combat mode' Recent malfunctions of equipment controlling Russia's vast nuclear arsenal have spontaneously switched nuclear missiles to "combat mode" on several occasions, increasing the risk of unauthorized attack on the United States, according to a classified CIA report "Rodionov's Concerns about Nuclear Command and Control." Bill Gertz WASHINGTON TIMES Page A1 - 12 May 1997

The SMF's Special Mission, Colonel-General Vladimir Nikolayevich Yakovlev, chief of the Strategic Missile Forces Main Staff , Armeyskiy Sbornik, May 1997 -- A discussion of the history and role of the Strategic Missile Forces.

Secrets 'Metro'-Style, Moscow Kuranty, 4/30/1997 -- The item published by The Washington Times to the effect that Russia is continuing to implement Cold War programs -- envisioning, in particular, the building of underground bunkers, tunnels, and so forth -- is, to all appearances, only partially correct.

Mir Space Station Status Update Thu, 24 Apr 1997 16:57:11 -0400 Chris Faranetta, Energia LTD. (703) 836-1999 The following update provides a brief summary on the present health of the crew and status of the major systems aboard the Mir Space Station.

VISIT OF RUSSIAN GENERAL IGOR SERGEYEV Washington -- The U.S. Defense Department announced that General of the Army Igor Sergeyev, commander in chief, Russian Strategic Rocket Forces, will visit the United States April 28-May 6 as part of the
continuing military-to-military contact program sponsored under the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.

NEW NUCLEAR DANGERS ALTHOUGH THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION ENDED THE FEAR OF A GLOBAL NUCLEAR WAR, THERE ARE NEW CONCERNS THAT NUCLEAR WEAPONS MAY BE USED, EITHER ON PURPOSE OR BY INADVERTENCE. ONE PERSON WHO TAKES THIS VIEW IS BRUCE BLAIR, A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION. Voice of America 4/16/97

MIR/LINENGER NEWS CONF (L) THE CREW ON BOARD RUSSIA'S ORBITING MIR SPACE STATION IS STILL WORKING TO REPAIR OXYGEN-GENERATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT THAT MALFUNCTIONED IN RECENT WEEKS. ABOARD MIR IS AMERICAN ASTRONAUT JERRY LINENGER WHO TOLD REPORTERS THROUGH AN AUDIO HOOK-UP FRIDAY MUCH WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE UNDER WHAT CAN BE DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. Voice of America 4/11/97

U-S/RUSSIA BUNKERS U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY RUSSIA IS CONTINUING TO WORK ON NETWORK OF UNDERGROUND BUNKERS AND TUNNELS -- APPARENTLY DESIGNED TO HELP RUSSIAN LEADERS FLEE MOSCOW AND SURVIVE A NUCLEAR ATTACK. HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT SEE THE ACTIVITY AS THREATENING OR IN VIOLATION OF ARMS ACCORDS. Voice of America 4/1/97

Status of Mayak Nuclear Waste Disposal Facility, Katarina Koivisto , Hufvudstadsbladet, 3/28/1997 -- Mayak, the Russian facility for nuclear waste disposal in the northwestern Urals, has been forced to close one line for lack of funds.

U-S / RUSSIA MISSILES THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA HAVE UNVEILED A WIDE-RANGING SERIES OF ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS, WHICH COULD MEAN NEW CUTBACKS IN THE TWO NATIONS' MASSIVE COLD-WAR NUCLEAR STOCKPILES. LIKE ALL SUCH ACCORDS, THESE ARE FACING POLITICAL ROADBLOCKS AND AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE. Voice of America 3/27/97

[EXCERPTS] AFTER THE SUMMIT: THE U.S. AND RUSSIA ON THE LINE -- A DISCUSSION OF UNITED STATES POLICIES AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES. JOINING ME TODAY TO DISCUSS THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE HELSINKI SUMMIT IS JOHN HERBST, DEPUTY COORDINATOR OF THE NEW INDEPENDENT STATES AT THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT. Voice of America MARCH 29, 1997

COHEN / RUSSIA MISSILES "IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS, MR. COHEN ASKED WHY AN ACCORD SUPPOSEDLY DISADVANTAGEOUS TO THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN ATTACKED IN THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT AS A CRUSHING DEFEAT FOR MOSCOW" Voice of America 3/25/97

JOINT STATEMENT CONCERNING THE ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE TREATY President Clinton and President Yeltsin, expressing their commitment to strengthening strategic stability and international security, emphasizing the importance of further reductions in strategic offensive arms, and recognizing the fundamental significance of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty for these objectives as well as the necessity for effective theater missile defense (TMD) systems, consider it their common task to preserve the ABM Treaty, prevent circumvention of it, and enhance its viability.

JOINT STATEMENT ON PARAMETERS ON FUTURE REDUCTIONS IN NUCLEAR FORCES In an historic step, President Clinton and President Yeltsin today issued a Joint Statement on Parameters on Future Reductions in Nuclear Forces, reaffirming their shared commitment to further reduce the nuclear danger and strengthen strategic stability and nuclear security.

U.S.-RUSSIAN JOINT STATEMENT ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS President Clinton and President Yeltsin discussed issues relating to the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. They stressed the commitment of the United States and Russia to full and effective accomplishment of the tasks and objectives of the convention. 21 March. 1997

A NUCLEAR LAUNCH MAY HAPPEN ACCIDENTALLY (Komsomolskaya Pravda, March 15. Abridged.) A professional missile specialist confirms the catastrophic forecasts of the defence minister which have been described by the president as "lamentations".

[EXCERPTED from Johnson's Russia List] Subject: Pipes commentary From: Celeste Wallander "... the question of explaining the collapse of the Soviet Union is the topic of a research and seminar series here at the Davis Center for Russian Studies at Harvard, conceived and run by Mark Kramer. My assignment was to address the question of the western role in the Soviet collapse, and I presented my paper in late February." " ..... since my paper is a draft, it is not currently available for circulation, though it will be by the summer." Sat, 15 Mar 1997 08:34:42 -0500 (EST)

CONGRESS-RUSSIA MEMBERS OF THE U-S CONGRESS HAVE SOME ITEMS THEY WANT ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT WEEK'S CLINTON- YELTSIN SUMMIT IN HELSINKI. THEY LISTED THEIR CONCERNS DURING A HOUSE HEARING ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S RUSSIA POLICY. Voice of America 3/12/97

Protest Held Against Launch of Start-1 Rocket , Oleg Yemelyanov , ITAR-TASS, 3/3/1997 -- A demonstration of protest against environmental effects of the planned launching of Start-1 booster-rocket from Svobodniy cosmodrome, the Amur region, was held in Yakutsk today.

GCC8 TEXT: COOPERATION IN SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING (Text: 07 February 1997 ) The following Memorandum of Understanding was released February 7, 1997, by the White House Office of the Vice President following the eighth meeting of the U.S.-Russian Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation, also known as the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission.

GCC8 PROTECTION OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS (Text: 07 February 1997 ) The following joint statement was released February 7, 1997, by the White House Office of the Vice President following the eighth meeting of the U.S.-Russian Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation, also known as the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission.

GCC8 TEXT: PRESS STATEMENT ON SPACE COMMITTEE The following press statement was released February 7, 1997, by the
White House Office of the Vice President following the eighth meeting of the U.S.-Russian Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation, also known as the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission.

JOINT STATEMENT ON HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT AND SCIENCE COOPERATION - U.S.-Russian Joint Commission on Economic and Technological Cooperation- 07 February 1997 The following joint statement was released February 7, 1997, by the White House Office of the Vice President following the eighth meeting of the U.S.-Russian Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation, also known as the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission.

RUSSIA: YELTSIN'S HEALTH AND 'THE BEST OUTCOME' IN (Foreign Media Reaction Daily Digest) CHECHNYA. President Yeltsin's precarious health and the election of rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov as president of Chechnya Jan. 27 have kept Russia high on the list of foreign analysts' concerns in the past few weeks.